It was short and sweet and hot, that coupling. We made the most of it, but I was tired and he was tired and we both gave ourselves over to the orgasms with sluttish ease.

I found him in the morning making strong coffee and swallowing some pain relievers.

“How you feeling, slugger?” I grinned.

He caught me up, turned me swiftly and delivered a sharp smack to my ass even as he chuckled in my ear. “How are you feeling?” he countered.

“Horny now.”

My coffee was handed to me just the way I liked it. Two sugars, real cream, in a big mug. “We can take care of that.”

I sat on one of the small stools under the counter. I hadn’t even seen them the day before. They matched the wood of the countertops. I liked the idea of that—things hidden in plain sight. Blending into the background so you didn’t notice them at first. I perched there. “So what’s today?”

“Clothes and Ohio of you want. We can stay or we can go.”

“Darling you’ve got to let me know,” I sang off key and he shook his head. I could see the stubble rising up impudently through his scalp.

“So what do you want to do? One more night here or onward ho?”

“Who you calling a ‘ho?” I teased. Then, “It’s up to you big daddy.” It slipped out. I meant it like a I’d call him boss man or chief or captain. One of those stupid endearments that people toss about—usually, one man to another. But in this case, one thoughtless woman to a man.

His face closed down on me. One moment he was smiling and open, the next I could not read even a flicker of emotion on his face. I had an urge to trace the scar above his eye. It couldn’t hurt. He was already angry. Which made the scar glow white against his flushed skin—made it stand out to me like a white flag waving under a red sky.

“Johnny. I didn’t mean it like—”

“It’s fine, Really,” he said and turned his back to me.

Shit. I rushed to him, pushed my back to the counter and leaned over to look into his face. The way I was contorted, he had to look at me. “I meant it…I mean, I didn’t mean that. I meant it like I’d call you big man or boss or whatever. I meant it as a joke,” I finished weakly.

“I didn’t tell you that for you to be pithy with it, Really.”

“But I wasn’t.”

His lips pressed together and his jaw was tight. Then I got pissed. Another lovely habit of mine. Hurting someone or saying the wrong thing made me feel stupid and inept. Feeling stupid and inept frustrated me. When I felt frustrated I got angry. When I got angry I said more stupid shit.

I grabbed his big arm in both of my hands, feeling the true potential of those muscles under my fingers. Rage flew through me—like some big-winged, self-destructive creature. I was angry at me, but it was Johnny who would take the brunt of it. “I mean it’s not like you actually killed your son. You’re just being—”

He was moving me then. His hands on my elbows, he turned me and hustled me back like a bouncer in a crowded bar when a fight breaks out. “You need to shut your mouth, Really.”

“It’s not like you could do that,” I rushed on. I was both digging my own grave and trying to claw my way out at the same time. I could see the fall-out from my words but I could also hear my mouth going. I was still talking. Why? Why the fuck was I still talking.

“You couldn’t,” I said breathless, because he was still moving me. Pushing me forward like a human tide. “Your’e a good man,” I said.

He pushed me. Hard. I hit the sofa with my full weight and it grunted under me, sliding back a few inches on the wide planked wooden floor. I was grateful for a split second of sanity that Johnny Rose did not take to beating on his women, or I would be in a world of hurt, I thought. I’d seen the likes of that before and had no interest in being faced with the business end of a fist.

“Shut up.” He hissed it, low and feral in dangerous. The pitch of his voice set my teeth on edge, made my blood run cold.

I gasped. I tried to patch up the gaping wound I had just created. “You’re a good man,” I said again.

“You don’t know shit about me, Aurelia. A good man is the last thing you should be calling me.”

“You are,” I whispered. “I know you are. You’re a good man. You’ve been good to me.”

I saw him cock his fist, I saw him draw back. I saw it all in slow motion the way I saw his face flicker with pleasure when he came or the way when he touched my lower back a touch that lasted an instant seemed to last a year.

At the last moment, he turned and put his fist through the small garden window to the left of the hearth. The glass tinkled and shattered and jingled merrily and I screamed and he made a noise like he was dying. Wind was sucked into the cabin and the temperature dropped. I was already cold, though. Surprise and fear had sucked the warmth from me.

In the midst of it all, I hurt for him. I felt guilt, too. I had done this. I had pushed him to a point where all he felt was pain.

He pulled his hand free and kept his back to me. I could see his head hanging down and his body working with a fine tremor. A paradox, he looked so massive and yet so fragile. Blood was trailing down his wrist, trickling into the cuff of his shirt. I couldn’t see how badly he was hurt or if it was even possibly very, very bad. All I saw was his broad back retreating and his feet moving across the throw rug by the kitchen nook.

I barely heard him over my pounding heart. “I’ll be back. I have to go to the hardware store to replace that.”

4 Stars for Restricted Release from RT Magazine

This blog is for those 18 and over. You have to be legal to play in my sandbox.

All Content Copyright Sommer Marsden unless otherwise stated

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Lost in You AVAILABLE NOW FROM HARPERCOLLINS MISCHIEF

Love is priceless...

US Release from Sourcebooks: Restless Spirit out in paperback and ebook from Sourcebooks Casablanca

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My novella Bittersweet, a BDSM-ish love story...

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Three Men, One Woman, Maximum Passion...

Praise for Boys Next Door

"Boys Next Door is the first book I have read by this author and I have to say I was incredibly impressed. The writing is seamless..." 4.5 stars from Clover for Long and Short Reviews

"I think you will like as much as I did." 4 stars from Alberta for Manic Readers

Marsden is a masterful author, and it’s nice to see male characters that remind me of (sexy, flawed, hot) men in my life. Not boys – men. - Violet Blue

BDSM Book Reviews on Restless Spirit

"Sommer Marsden is known has one of the top erotica authors. After reading this story, I can see why that is." ~4 paddles

Learning to Drown is a recommended Read in 50 Shades Magazine.

See it on CNN Health? LEARNING TO DROWN

AVAILABLE NOW: EBOOK AND PRINT

Praise for LEARNING TO DROWN

"Learning to Drown was a wonderful story that kept me hooked from the very first pages... I love Miss Marsden's stories and eagerly look forward to the next one that will take me to a whole new world where nothing is off limits." -Claudia R., Manic Readers Reviews, 4.5/5 Stars!

"Sommer is one of those writers that can create a symphony on the pages and even if you aren't a lover of classical music you may still find yourself closing your eyes and letting the beauty of the melody wash over you. This story, along with all her others, has definitely sealed the deal. I will read ANYTHING that Sommer Marsden EVER writes!!!! She is just that damn good." -Seriously Reviewed, 16.5/20 Score!

"?[A] great read. Sommer Marsden created unique characters and situations that were so interesting it was hard for me to stop reading until I was finished" -Karyl, Dark Diva Reviews, 5/5 Divas!

"...[A] strong and stirring book that will grab you and not let you go... The dance of the story is two steps forward and one step back and in Learning to Drown it works beautifully... For those who are comfortable with the less sanitized version of BDSM than is often found in the BDSM romance, Learning to Drown will be a memorable read." -Lea, BlackRaven's Reviews, 5/5 Ravens and a Recommended Read!

"…if you like to stretch your boundaries and see things from another perspective, Learning to Drown may well be the best book you’ll buy in quite a while." ~ Zoe, The Readers Round Table 4.5 out of 5 crowns

LONG LOST (sequel to BIG BAD)

BIG BAD

BIG BAD is a...

PRETTY IN PINK

"...a light and humorous holiday-themed novella that gives a new definition to the phrase "love thy neighbor." ~Book Wenches

"As a lover of Ms Marsden’s work, I have to say that this one was just as good as I figured it would be." ~Seriously Reviewed

AVAILABLE NOW FROM EXCESSICA

new anthology with fab writers!

MAN IN THE MIDDLE

newest book from Excessica

Ashira Datya, HEA Reviews
"I really enjoyed Man in the Middle, both of the stories were sizzling hot. The author did an amazing job of writing the story so that the reader feels like he or she is a part of the story and physically in each scene. I would read more by this author again, no doubt about it."

Claudia R., Manic Readers Reviews, 4.5/5 STARS

"I loved Ms. Marsden’s writing style… You can never be too graphic in an erotic tale, and Ms. Marsden does a splendid job in depicting the confusion, struggle, love, and finally acceptance… The eroticism was fantastic… you get two great stories in one book!"

BITTERSWEET

Fancy chocolate, the client from hell, and a Dom...

Delane at Coffee Time Romance and More (5 cups!)

From the very first meeting in the chocolate shop the flames of lust are fanned higher and higher. When at last these two come together it is a battle to determine who is really in control; the master or the submissive. Bittersweet has joined my TBR over and over list. I found the characters fascinating and beautiful. I strongly recommend the story of Rayka and Deacon; to miss Bittersweet is to miss out on a love story with a most tasteful bite.

Seriously Reviewed, SCORE: 19/20!

Sommer Masden has really out done herself with this tasty, titillating tease. With out a doubt, I would read everything this author puts out from now on and will be seeking out everything on her back list!! Any one with the ability to bring emotion to life like this talented lady has my vote all the way!! *SNAPS* Ms Marsden, I am in awe!

Cheryl, Manic Readers Reviews, 4/5 STARS

There is nothing bitter about this book, Bittersweet. In fact this book is so yummy and such a temptation that I devoured it. Rayka and Deacon were perfect for each other. What could be better than chocolate, a hot guy and reading a good book…nothing is better! Deacon was not only sexy but he could cook. I wish he was real, so I could steal him for myself. I think I have just found my new favorite erotic author in Sommer Marsden. Bittersweet left me wanting more.

LUCKY 13 (Anthology)

#9 in Violet Blue's Ten Hottest Sex Books of 2009

Praise for Lucky 13...

Mrs. Giggles 90/100
"Baby, this one is hot, hot, hot…(a) sizzling collection of stories…filled with all the wholesome goodness that erotica has to offer. There are ample descriptions of emotions and sensations that make the graphic sex scenes more vivid for the best vicarious joyride. There are also some unexpectedly tender and even heartwarming moments in the more romantic stories. All in all, this one is too much of a good thing and I’m giving this one two thumbs up."

Ashley Lister, Erotica Revealed
Sommer Marsden’s skill as an author is in her ability to depict living breathing human beings and make them interesting, exciting and entertaining. The fact that she chooses to write in the erotic genre means that we lucky readers get to see these vibrant individuals enjoying the complexities of a passionate and carnal existence. If you enjoy well written erotica, and you want to get lucky with your choice of reading material, it’s a safe bet to pick Lucky 13.

Violet Blue, author
Lucky 13: Thirteen Tales of Getting Lucky Author Sommer Marsden is a writer I consider to be one of the top storytellers in the erotica genre, and she’s just getting started. She is one I’m watching closely. This collection is 13 of her hits, and highly recommended